The Bomber Command Memorial and Maintenance Appeal has been boosted by a
£64,000 donation from the Canadian government.

Steven Blaney, Canada's Minister of Veterans' Affairs, announced the donation of 100,000 Canadian Dollars during a visit to the RAF Club in London's Piccadilly today.

More than 10,000 Canadians were among the 55,573 airmen who died serving with Bomber Command during the Second World War, and Mr Blaney said it was his country's "sacred duty" to make sure their sacrifice was not forgotten.

The Canadian government will also pay for its country's veterans to fly to London for the unveiling of the memorial in Green Park, central London, on June 28.

More than £7 million, including £1m from Telegraph readers, has already been raised to build the memorial, with a further £1.5m needed to pay for its maintenance in perpetuity.

Mr Blaney said: "It is our sacred duty to remember and honour the brave men and women who served our country so selflessly. Our Government is proud to support the Bomber Command Memorial which will help us remember the important contributions of our veterans.

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"Once completed, the Bomber Command Memorial will serve as a permanent reminder of the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who served our country during the Second World War.

"Our Government is proud to honour our veterans who fought for peace, freedom and democracy around the world, and today we salute the 50,000 Canadian service men and women who served in Bomber Command operations during the Second World War.

"Let us remember in particular the more than 10,000 Canadians who paid the ultimate price in defending the skies over Europe."

Malcolm White, chairman of the Bomber Command Association, said: "This is a unique gesture from the Canadian government and I thank Minister Steven Blaney for both the financial contribution to the Memorial and the support being offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs to Canadian veterans in June.

"That Minister Blaney is here in London to make this announcement demonstrates the significance of the Bomber Command Memorial to Canada. I personally want to thank Canada for the sacrifice of your brave airmen who served in Bomber Command; we remember them now and for ever."